There is something very special about this country that we inhabit. It is large enough to encompass the worst of the worst as well as the best of the best when it comes to things, people and events. One such extraordinary event was the air-evacuation of 1,70,000 stranded Indians from war-torn Kuwait and their repatriation to India. The movie Airlift depicts this real-life act of courage of few extraordinary people through an effective reel-life portrayal.
Four Leadership Lessons that the movie leaves us with:
SENSITIVITY TO PAIN
Our capacity to empathize with others’ pain and do something about it (compassion) comes from a certain level of sensitivity to another’s misery. Traditionally called karuna, this particular trait is a must-have for a great leader. To be able to step into another’s shoes and feel his misery helps one understand what needs to be done to relieve another’s issues. Akshay Kumar shows a tremendous amount of sensitivity on seeing more and more people suffering the same plight that he and his family are
The primary job of the leader is to keep providing protection to his people, which includes relief from pain and pain points. Happy employees lead to happy customers, happy citizens lead to a happy nation. There is no short-cut to this one.
SURRENDER TO A CAUSE LARGER THAN YOURSELF
It was very easy for the protagonist to excuse himself and his family from the dangerous war-torn city leaving others to their fate. However he chose to think beyond the boundaries of his biological family. Most of us are too pre-occupied with our concern to take a stand for others concern. However when we do that, we redefine the circle of our concern and enhance the scope of whom we see as our own. Any act done for this larger circle is a labour of love, that not only helps others but also enriches us.
A LEADER IS NEVER A QUITTER
Akshay Kumar diligently sticks to his mission, NO MATTER WHAT. Despite failures, he doesn’t succumb to disappointment, surely not for long. He is low for a while but he pulls himself up by his socks and gets back to his task. He finds novel ways to make his mission work and he maintains the grit until he passionately accomplishes what he has set out for. Such relentless perseverance is a much-needed leader attribute.
LEADERSHIP IS ITS OWN PRIZE
It is witnessed time and again in the movie how the protagonist draws flak in spite of his selfless endeavors. He is discouraged by his wife, mocked by his friends and despised by a certain character. Undoubtedly he must be unsettled by these unpleasant acts. Yet he doesn’t allow his cause to suffer. He keeps the cause at a higher ground than all the uncomfortable issues. Even those whom he tries to help take his help for granted and start complaining. We have this aphorism – neki kar dariya me in daal. One can’t find a more appropriate phrase to describe the role of a leader.
After all his trials and tribulations for the sake of others, there is often thanklessness in store for a leader. There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The rainbow itself is the pot of gold. Leadership is its own prize.
